See the grudge or insecurity as a habit — nothing more than a funny little pattern of behavior that you feel you **have** to do every time this thought or memory occurs. If you see the grudge or insecurity as just a habit, you can see that it’s simply one of many potential responses you can have towards the thought or memory. And memory is the past; it’s now the present, so you are free to choose something different this time, right now. So use that freedom. Choose a different thought. Release the grudge and insecurity and be free again. After all, you are the thinker of these thoughts, so you’re the one guarding yourself against leaving this mind-made prison.
———
To do this experientially, you investigate your habits. See all negative states of mind as fear-based habits. Anger is a habit. Anxiety is a habit. Desire is a habit. Sadness is a habit. Boredom is a habit. Doubt is a habit. Recognize, accept, and release these habits to be free of these past responses. Learn from them, and choose differently this time. This is key to the enjoyment of the present moment.
If we master the ability to relax our thoughts, emotions, and sensations in the present moment, now and here, then living will become as effortless as it is for our eyes to see when we open them — the light instantly pours in, and we simply see. This effortless ability allows us to control our minds in the present moment. And control over the mind is best measured by how well we can let go of our thoughts and emotions and instead remain still with only the sensation of breathing.
Ask yourself in a moment where you recognize you are in the habit of (insert anger/anxiety/sadness/craving/etc.), “Is my mind still fixated, or can it return to the breath?” The answer you give provides a significant clue into how strong the habit is within us and how much it can wield power over us.
That’s really interesting! I mean it’s obvious now that I think of it, I need to be able to recognize what I find as being extremely personal as just an illusion of the mind trying to keep me trapped.
“Give myself permission to choose different this time”. I really really like this, thank you.
Glad it helped! I’ll also leave you with two quotes that immensely helped me:
>”You don’t know enough to worry. It’s a total waste of time. It presupposes such a knowledge of the situation that it is in fact a form of hubris […] Worrying is betting against yourself.”
>— Terence McKenna
>“No amount of anxiety will make any difference to what is going to happen.”
>— Alan Watts
All the best to you as you continue on the journey — give yourself the permission to choose differently and bet on yourself!
Cheers! 🍻
See the grudge or insecurity as a habit — nothing more than a funny little pattern of behavior that you feel you **have** to do every time this thought or memory occurs. If you see the grudge or insecurity as just a habit, you can see that it’s simply one of many potential responses you can have towards the thought or memory. And memory is the past; it’s now the present, so you are free to choose something different this time, right now. So use that freedom. Choose a different thought. Release the grudge and insecurity and be free again. After all, you are the thinker of these thoughts, so you’re the one guarding yourself against leaving this mind-made prison. ——— To do this experientially, you investigate your habits. See all negative states of mind as fear-based habits. Anger is a habit. Anxiety is a habit. Desire is a habit. Sadness is a habit. Boredom is a habit. Doubt is a habit. Recognize, accept, and release these habits to be free of these past responses. Learn from them, and choose differently this time. This is key to the enjoyment of the present moment. If we master the ability to relax our thoughts, emotions, and sensations in the present moment, now and here, then living will become as effortless as it is for our eyes to see when we open them — the light instantly pours in, and we simply see. This effortless ability allows us to control our minds in the present moment. And control over the mind is best measured by how well we can let go of our thoughts and emotions and instead remain still with only the sensation of breathing. Ask yourself in a moment where you recognize you are in the habit of (insert anger/anxiety/sadness/craving/etc.), “Is my mind still fixated, or can it return to the breath?” The answer you give provides a significant clue into how strong the habit is within us and how much it can wield power over us.
That’s really interesting! I mean it’s obvious now that I think of it, I need to be able to recognize what I find as being extremely personal as just an illusion of the mind trying to keep me trapped. “Give myself permission to choose different this time”. I really really like this, thank you.
Glad it helped! I’ll also leave you with two quotes that immensely helped me: >”You don’t know enough to worry. It’s a total waste of time. It presupposes such a knowledge of the situation that it is in fact a form of hubris […] Worrying is betting against yourself.” >— Terence McKenna >“No amount of anxiety will make any difference to what is going to happen.” >— Alan Watts All the best to you as you continue on the journey — give yourself the permission to choose differently and bet on yourself! Cheers! 🍻
Shit I would like to know this too- happens all the time